Safety Assessment of Nutraceuticals

Abstract

Nutraceuticals are products isolated from foods that are generally sold in medicinal forms. They are defined as any food (or part thereof) which provides health benefits – including prevention and treatment of disease – in addition to the basic nutritional value found in foodstuff. Nutraceuticals are of particular interest as a way to reduce the expensive, high-tech disease treatment approaches currently employed in developed countries.

The nutraceutical industry represents a dynamic, evolving entity that offers novel opportunities to merge scientific discovery with growing consumer interest in health-enhancing foods. It tracks and monitors consumer trends, thus the products of this industry can represent a direct response to their demands. The nutraceutical industry encompasses three main segments which include functional foods, dietary supplements, and herbal/natural products. Read more...